In this demonstration activity, students make structural models of gas molecules using pipe cleaners and polystyrene balls and test their molecules for their resonant frequency. Students shake the models, count vibrations, and compare the resonance...(View More) frequencies of different gases. Students learn that photons of infrared energy vibrate at the right frequency to transfer their energy to carbon dioxide and methane, which in turn causes those molecules to vibrate, which is experienced in the real world as heat. The teacher's guide includes illustrative videos for this resource. This activity is supported by a textbook chapter, What's So Special about CO²?, part of the unit, Climate Change, in Global Systems Science (GSS), an interdisciplinary course for high school students that emphasizes how scientists from a wide variety of fields work together to understand significant problems of global impact.(View Less)

This chapter provides a series of investigations, ranging from teacher-centered to open inquiry, that involve the formation of clouds in a model cyclone, and demonstrating how the availability of heat (indicated by temperature) affects formation and...(View More) duration of the cyclone. Instructions for building the experimental apparatus is found in Appendix 6. Additional materials needed include a heat source, beaker, thermometer, and a metal pan. The resource includes background information, teaching tips and questions to guide student discussion. This is chapter 13 of Meteorology: An Educator's Resource for Inquiry-Based Learning for Grades 5-9. The guide includes a discussion of learning science, the use of inquiry in the classroom, instructions for making simple weather instruments, and more than 20 weather investigations ranging from teacher-centered to guided and open inquiry investigations.(View Less)

In this problem-based learning (PBL) scenario, students prepare a presentation for investors showing how their fishing company has a significant advantage because it locates upwelling zones and fishing areas using TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring...(View More) Mission) and other satellite data. Prior to launching the PBL, students learn about wind: the topics of air pressure, coriolis effect, upwelling and the role of differential heating on the atmosphere are explored in classroom demonstrations. Materials required include a beaker, coffee grounds, drinking straw, balloon, flashlight, and turntable. The resource includes teacher background information, glossary, assessment rubric, and an appendix introducing problem-based learning.(View Less)

In this demonstration, sheet cakes are used to show how tectonic forces create convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries. The resource is part of the teacher's guide accompanying the video, NASA SCI Files: The Case of the Shaky Quake....(View More) Lesson objectives supported by the video, additional resources, teaching tips and an answer sheet are included in the teacher's guide.(View Less)

Wave movement is explored using a metal tray of prepared gelatin, dominoes, sugar cubes, plastic wrap and a rubber mallet, in a demonstration of physical principles supporting the study of earthquakes. The resource is part of the teacher's guide...(View More) accompanying the video, NASA SCI Files: The Case of the Shaky Quake. Lesson objectives supported by the video, additional resources, teaching tips and an answer sheet are included in the teacher's guide.(View Less)

In this activity, students create a reservoir model using hoses, a bucket, a flat pan, and water, to understand the inputs and outputs of a local watershed or reservoir. The resource is supported by teacher background information, assessment...(View More) suggestions, and a scoring rubric. This is Activity 2 of the learning module, Global Balance, part of the lesson series, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change.(View Less)

In this activity, students investigate the interacting parts of the Earth system by observing changes in evaporation rate in four small aquariums with different initial conditions. The demonstration requires 4 small aquariums, soil, plants, water,...(View More) graduated cylinder, scale, plastic wrap, and colored pencils. A student data sheet is included. The resource is supported by teacher background information, assessment suggestions, and a scoring rubric. This is Activity 3 in the learning module, Global Balance, part of the lesson series, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change.(View Less)

In this demonstration, students learn about the physical process of liquification and how it causes the ground to become unstable during an earthquake. Required materials include a plastic tub, sand, water, a brick and a rubber mallet. The resource...(View More) is part of the teacher's guide accompanying the video, NASA SCI Files: The Case of the Shaky Quake. Lesson objectives supported by the video, additional resources, teaching tips and an answer sheet are included in the teacher's guide.(View Less)

This demonstration shows that an increase in temperature will speed up the water cycle. One outcome will be an increase in rainfall. A second outcome will be the increase in total evaporation of water and subsequent drought. Materials required...(View More) include two aquariums, plastic wrap, 2 clamp lamps with 60 watt light bulbs, pebbles and rocks, modeling clay, blue food coloring, and water. Student worksheets, background information for teachers, and a scoring rubric are included. This is Activity 2 in Too Many Blankets, a module in the lesson series, Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change.(View Less)

This demonstration will show how increased temperatures will hasten the melting of ice in the environment, contributing to a rise in sea level and subsequent flooding of coastal areas. Materials required include 2 aquariums, plastic wrap, a clamp...(View More) light with a 60 watt bulb, modeling clay, ice, pebbles and rocks, and a ruler. Teacher background information, student worksheets and a scoring rubric are included. This is Activity 3 of the learning module, Too Many Blankets, part of the lesson series, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change.(View Less)